Thorne Crest Retirement Center
Thorne Crest Retirement Center is a 1-star rated nursing home in Albert Lea, MN with 52 beds. CMS sub-ratings: health inspections 1/5, staffing 2/5, quality measures 4/5.
The facility has 46 health violations on record. Federal fines total $46,350 across 12 enforcement actions. Most recent inspection: May 8, 2024.
Staff turnover rate: 71.4% — significantly above the national average.
Data synthesized from CMS.gov and Minnesota public inspection records. Reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NR-EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Inspection History Overview
Data current as of May 6, 2026 · Source: CMS Provider Data
Detailed Inspection Reports
Notice: These are official CMS inspection narratives containing detailed regulatory findings. This information is not available in searchable format anywhere else online.
Fines and Penalties by Year
2021 8 penalties totaling $29,848
Fine
Fine
Fine
Fine
Fine
Fine
Fine
Fine
2020 3 penalties totaling $8,133
Fine
Fine
Fine
2019 1 penalties totaling $8,369
Fine
Health Violations by Year
2024 1 violations
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
2023 9 violations
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
2022 8 violations
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Ensure staff are vaccinated for COVID-19
2021 15 violations
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
2020 2 violations
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
2019 7 violations
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
2017 4 violations
Allow residents to easily view the results of the nursing home's most recent inspection.
Provide necessary care and services to maintain or improve the highest well being of each resident .
Maintain drug records and properly mark/label drugs and other similar products according to accepted professional standards.
Have a program that investigates, controls and keeps infection from spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thorne Crest Retirement Center
- What violations has Thorne Crest Retirement Center received?
- Thorne Crest Retirement Center has 46 health and safety violation(s) documented by CMS inspections. All violation data comes from official Medicare inspection reports and is updated regularly from government sources.
- What is the quality rating of Thorne Crest Retirement Center?
- Thorne Crest Retirement Center has a 1-star rating out of 5 from CMS. This rating indicates the facility may have quality concerns that should be investigated further. The rating is based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures.
- When was Thorne Crest Retirement Center last inspected?
- Inspection reports are documented by state survey agencies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Reports typically lag 2-3 months behind the actual inspection date. Visit the facility's full profile page for detailed violation information and inspection history.
- Is Thorne Crest Retirement Center safe?
- Safety at Thorne Crest Retirement Center should be evaluated based on multiple factors: the facility's CMS rating, recent violation history, and personal visits. We recommend reviewing the complete inspection history, speaking with current residents and families, consulting healthcare professionals, and visiting in person before making placement decisions.
- How do I contact Thorne Crest Retirement Center?
- Phone: (507) 205-9004. Address: 1201 Garfield Avenue, Albert Lea, MN. For visiting hours and admission information, call the facility directly.
- What services does Thorne Crest Retirement Center offer?
- Thorne Crest Retirement Center is a skilled nursing facility with 52 beds. The facility accepts Medicare and Medicaid. For specific services like rehabilitation, memory care, or short-term recovery, contact the facility directly.
- What are better facilities near Albert Lea, MN?
- Compare Thorne Crest Retirement Center with other nursing homes in Albert Lea, MN on our facilities page. Filter by star rating, bed count, and recent inspection results to find the best match for your needs.
Compare Nursing Homes in Albert Lea, MN
| Facility | Rating | Violations | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Crest Retirement Center (this facility) | ★☆☆☆☆ | 46 | 52 |
| Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea | ★★★★☆ | 28 | 80 |
| St Johns On Fountain Lake | ★★★☆☆ | 51 | 84 |
| St Johns Lutheran Home | ★☆☆☆☆ | 67 | 79 |
Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog.
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.
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